graphic-designer

Original source / Raw SKILL.md

---
name: graphic-designer
description: Designs graphics for thumbnails, social media, banners, and presentations. Applies design principles (CRAP, Gestalt, visual hierarchy) with research-backed techniques. Integrates with /geometric-elements for decorative assets. Use when creating layouts, choosing typography/colors, or designing any graphic assets. For photography/cinematography prompts, use /art-director instead.
---

# Graphic Designer

Create effective visual communication through research-backed design principles.

**Design = Communication + Aesthetics** — Good design is invisible: it guides the eye, conveys the message, and feels "right" without effort.

---

## Quick Workflow

```
1. PURPOSE   — What should viewer DO after seeing this?
2. AUDIENCE  — Who? What culture? What device?
3. HIERARCHY — What's #1, #2, #3 in importance?
4. LAYOUT    — Sketch placement (Z or F pattern)
5. COLORS    — 60-30-10 rule (check cultural meaning!)
6. TYPE      — Max 2 fonts (1 display + 1 body)
7. ELEMENTS  — Add graphics, icons, photos
8. REFINE    — Remove until it breaks, then add back
9. CHECK     — Squint test, mobile test, contrast check
10. REVIEW   — Self-critique and iterate (optional loop)
```

---

## Self-Review Loop (Auto-Improvement)

เมื่อสร้างผลงานแล้ว สามารถเปิด loop วิเคราะห์และปรับปรุงอัตโนมัติได้

### เมื่อไหร่ควรถาม User

**ถาม user ก่อนเริ่ม loop:**
> "ต้องการให้หนูเปิด Auto-Improvement Loop ไหมคะ? หนูจะวิเคราะห์ผลลัพธ์และปรับปรุงซ้ำจนกว่าจะได้คุณภาพที่ดีค่ะ"

**Options:**
1. **Quick Review** — 1 รอบวิเคราะห์ + แก้ไขถ้าจำเป็น
2. **Full Loop** — วิเคราะห์ซ้ำจนกว่าจะผ่าน Quality Checklist ทุกข้อ
3. **Skip** — ส่งมอบเลย ไม่ต้อง review

### Review Loop Workflow

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  1. CREATE — สร้างผลงาน (slides, graphics, etc.)    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                          ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  2. ANALYZE — วิเคราะห์โครงสร้าง                    │
│     • อ่าน XML/code ที่สร้าง                        │
│     • ตรวจสอบ positions, sizes, colors             │
│     • สร้าง thumbnails (ถ้าเป็น PPTX)              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                          ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  3. CRITIQUE — วิจารณ์ตาม Design Principles         │
│     ใช้ Review Checklist (ด้านล่าง)                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                          ↓
              ┌───────────────────┐
              │  ผ่านทุกข้อ?      │
              └───────────────────┘
               ↙ NO          YES ↘
┌──────────────────┐      ┌──────────────────┐
│  4. FIX          │      │  5. DELIVER      │
│  แก้ไขปัญหา       │      │  ส่งมอบผลงาน     │
│  ที่พบ           │      │                  │
└──────────────────┘      └──────────────────┘
          ↓
    กลับไป Step 2
    (max 3 iterations)
```

### Review Checklist (Score 0-10)

| Category | Check | Weight |
|----------|-------|--------|
| **Hierarchy** | #1 element เด่นชัด 2x+ กว่าที่เหลือ? | High |
| **Contrast** | WCAG AA (4.5:1)? | High |
| **Alignment** | Elements align to grid? | Medium |
| **White Space** | ≥20% empty space? | Medium |
| **Color Count** | ≤4 colors? | Medium |
| **Font Count** | ≤2 fonts? | Low |
| **Visual Impact** | มี focal point ที่ดึงดูดสายตา? | High |
| **Brand Consistency** | ตรงกับ brand guidelines? | High |

**Pass threshold:** Average ≥ 7/10 และไม่มี High-weight items ต่ำกว่า 6

### Visual Impact Boost

ถ้า Visual Impact score ต่ำ สามารถใช้ skills เหล่านี้ช่วย:

| Need | Skill | Use Case |
|------|-------|----------|
| **Hero images** | `/art-director` | Gen prompt สำหรับ AI image ที่มี composition ดี |
| **Local image gen** | `/comfyui-user` | Gen รูปผ่าน ComfyUI server ในเครื่อง |
| **Decorative elements** | `/geometric-elements` | สร้าง corners, lines, patterns |

**Example integration:**
```
1. สร้าง slide แล้วพบว่า visual impact ต่ำ
2. ใช้ /art-director สร้าง prompt สำหรับ background image
3. ใช้ /comfyui-user gen รูป (หรือ cloud API)
4. ใส่รูปใน slide แล้ว re-analyze
```

### Iteration Limits

- **Max iterations:** 3 รอบ (ป้องกัน infinite loop)
- **Stop early if:** User บอกให้หยุด หรือ score ไม่เพิ่มขึ้น 2 รอบติดต่อกัน
- **Report:** สรุป changes ที่ทำในแต่ละ iteration

---

## Design Principles (Summary)

### CRAP Principles

| Principle | What | How |
|-----------|------|-----|
| **Contrast** | Make differences obvious | Size, color, weight |
| **Repetition** | Create consistency | Reuse colors, fonts |
| **Alignment** | Connect visually | Grid, edges |
| **Proximity** | Group related items | Spacing |

→ Details: [references/gestalt.md](references/gestalt.md)

### Visual Hierarchy (order of impact)

1. **Size** — Larger = more important
2. **Color/Contrast** — Bright catches eye first
3. **Position** — Top-left (Western), top-right (RTL)
4. **White Space** — Isolation creates emphasis
5. **Weight** — Bold stands out

### Reading Patterns

| Pattern | Best For | Flow |
|---------|----------|------|
| **Z-Pattern** | Visual/marketing | Top-L → Top-R → Bottom-L → Bottom-R |
| **F-Pattern** | Text-heavy | Horizontal scans + vertical down left |

---

## Color System

### 60-30-10 Rule

| % | Role | Example |
|---|------|---------|
| 60% | Dominant | Background |
| 30% | Secondary | Containers, cards |
| 10% | Accent | CTAs, highlights |

### Quick Palettes

| Mood | Colors |
|------|--------|
| Professional | Navy + White + Gold |
| Energetic | Orange + Black + White |
| Calm | Blue + Light Gray + White |
| Premium | Black + Gold + White |
| **2025 Trend** | Dark + Neon accent |

### Cultural Color Meanings (Check First!)

| Color | Western | East Asia | Thai Context |
|-------|---------|-----------|--------------|
| **Red** | Danger, urgency | Luck, joy | Auspicious |
| **White** | Pure, clean | Mourning | Formal/Mourning |
| **Yellow** | Optimism | Sacred | Royal |
| **Gold** | Luxury | Prosperity | Premium |

→ Full guide: [references/color-theory.md](references/color-theory.md)

### Accessibility (WCAG)

| Standard | Normal Text | Large Text (18pt+) |
|----------|-------------|-------------------|
| **AA (Minimum)** | 4.5:1 | 3:1 |
| **AAA (Enhanced)** | 7:1 | 4.5:1 |

Tool: [WebAIM Contrast Checker](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/)

---

## Typography

### Quick Rules

- **Max 2 fonts** — 1 display + 1 body
- **Hierarchy via size** — Not font changes
- **Line height** — 1.4-1.6 for body, 1.1-1.2 for headlines

### Safe Font Pairs

| Display | Body | Mood |
|---------|------|------|
| Montserrat Bold | Open Sans | Modern |
| Playfair Display | Lato | Elegant |
| **Kanit Bold** | **Sarabun** | Thai-friendly |

→ Full guide: [references/typography.md](references/typography.md)

---

## Layout

### 8px Spacing System

| Size | Use |
|------|-----|
| 8px | Within groups |
| 16px | Between elements |
| 24-32px | Sections |
| 48px | Page margins |

### Social Media Dimensions

| Platform | Ratio | Size |
|----------|-------|------|
| YouTube Thumbnail | 16:9 | 1280×720 |
| Instagram Post | 1:1 | 1080×1080 |
| Instagram Story | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| Facebook/LinkedIn | 1.91:1 | 1200×630 |

→ Layout templates: [references/layouts.md](references/layouts.md)

---

## Presentation Slides

### Core Rules

| Rule | Guideline |
|------|-----------|
| **One idea per slide** | Single focused message |
| **Rule of 4** | Max 4 bullets, 4 words each |
| **Don't compete** | Audience can't read AND listen |

### Font Sizes

| Context | Titles | Body | Captions |
|---------|--------|------|----------|
| **Large room** | 60pt+ | 40pt+ | 24pt+ |
| **Virtual** | 44pt+ | 32pt+ | 20pt+ |

→ Full guide: [references/presentation-design.md](references/presentation-design.md)

---

## YouTube Thumbnails

| Element | Recommendation |
|---------|----------------|
| **Faces** | Use expressive faces (+20-30% CTR) |
| **Text** | Minimal, bold, curiosity |
| **Colors** | High contrast, 3-4 max |
| **Mobile** | Readable at small size |

**Layout:** Face 40%+ height, eye contact, blur background

---

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| Too many fonts | Max 2 |
| No hierarchy | Make #1 thing 2x bigger |
| Centered everything | Use left-align + proximity |
| Rainbow colors | Pick 1 accent color |
| Filled every space | Add 20% more white space |
| Text on busy photo | Add overlay or blur |
| Ignoring culture | Check color meanings |

---

## Checklists

### Before Designing

- [ ] What's the ONE message?
- [ ] Who's the audience? (culture, device)
- [ ] What emotion should it evoke?

### Quality Check

- [ ] Clear hierarchy? (squint test)
- [ ] Readable at target size?
- [ ] Max 3-4 colors, 2-3 fonts?
- [ ] Contrast 4.5:1+? (WCAG AA)
- [ ] Aligned to grid?
- [ ] Enough white space?

---

## Tools Integration

### /geometric-elements — Decorative Assets

```bash
python scripts/generate.py shape --style star --color "#D4A84B" --size 100
python scripts/generate.py corner-accent --color "#D4A84B" --size 150
python scripts/generate.py line-divider --color "#D4A84B" --width 800
```

### /art-director — Visual Impact (AI Image Prompts)

เมื่อต้องการรูปที่มี composition และ visual impact ดี:

```
1. Invoke /art-director พร้อมบอก context (slide theme, mood, brand)
2. ได้ prompt ที่พร้อมใช้กับ AI image generators
3. Gen รูปผ่าน /comfyui-user หรือ cloud API
```

### AI Slide Backgrounds (Best Practices)

**Workflow ที่ได้ผลดี:**

```
1. ขอดู REFERENCE — ให้ user แชร์ตัวอย่าง slides ที่ชอบ
2. วิเคราะห์ PATTERNS — สรุป style (colors, elements, layout)
3. Gen ทั้ง BACKGROUND — ไม่แยกชิ้น, ไม่มี text
4. ITERATE — ปรับ size/position ตาม feedback
5. User วาง TEXT เอง — ยืดหยุ่นกว่า
```

**✅ Do:**

| Technique | Why |
|-----------|-----|
| Gen complete background | ได้ภาพ cohesive สวยกว่าแยกชิ้น |
| ใช้ `--edit` กับ logo เป็น ref | AI เห็น shape จริง ไม่ต้องเดา |
| บอก "NO TEXT" | Text จาก AI มักผิด/ไม่สวย |
| White background | Nano Banana Pro ทำ transparent ไม่ได้ |
| เริ่ม simple | Logo เล็กมุมเดียว ดีกว่าเยอะทุกมุม |

**❌ Don't:**

| Technique | Problem |
|-----------|---------|
| "TRANSPARENT BACKGROUND" | ได้ checkerboard ปลอม |
| อธิบาย logo shape เอง | AI ตีความผิด ใช้ --edit แทน |
| Gen แยกชิ้นแล้วประกอบ | Elements ไม่ match กัน |
| Decoration เยอะ | รกเกินไป ไม่ professional |

**Prompt Template:**
```
Professional presentation [TYPE] slide background,
16:9 aspect ratio. NO TEXT. [STYLE] STYLE.
BACKGROUND: [color, grid, gradient]
DECORATIVE: [small/subtle elements, specific corners]
LAYOUT: Leave [area] empty for [content]
COLORS: [hex codes]
```

### /comfyui-user — Local Image Generation

สำหรับ gen รูปในเครื่องผ่าน ComfyUI:

```
1. Invoke /comfyui-user พร้อมบอกว่าต้องการรูปแบบไหน
2. เลือก workflow (turbo สำหรับ gen ใหม่, edit สำหรับแก้รูปเดิม)
3. ได้รูปพร้อมใช้ใน slides
```

### Related Skills

| Need | Skill | When to Use |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Decorative elements | `/geometric-elements` | corners, lines, patterns, shapes |
| AI image prompts | `/art-director` | hero images, backgrounds ที่ต้องการ composition ดี |
| Local image gen | `/comfyui-user` | gen รูปผ่าน ComfyUI server |
| PowerPoint slides | `/pptx` | สร้าง/แก้ไข PPTX files |
| ThepExcel brand | `/thepexcel-brand-guidelines` | brand colors, fonts, logo usage |

---

## References

| Topic | File |
|-------|------|
| Color theory | [references/color-theory.md](references/color-theory.md) |
| Typography | [references/typography.md](references/typography.md) |
| Layouts | [references/layouts.md](references/layouts.md) |
| Presentation design | [references/presentation-design.md](references/presentation-design.md) |
| Gestalt principles | [references/gestalt.md](references/gestalt.md) |


---

## Referenced Files

> The following files are referenced in this skill and included for context.

### references/gestalt.md

```markdown
# Gestalt Principles of Design

## Overview

Gestalt principles explain how humans perceive visual elements as organized patterns rather than separate parts. Developed by German psychologists in the 1920s (Wertheimer, Koffka, Kohler).

**Core insight:** The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

---

## The Six Core Principles

### 1. Proximity

**Elements close together are perceived as a group.**

```
Close = Related          Far = Separate

●●●  ●●●  ●●●           ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●
(3 groups)              (6 separate items)
```

**Application:**
- Group related content with less space between
- Separate unrelated content with more space
- Navigation items close together = same category

**Key insight:** Proximity is the most powerful grouping tool — it overrides color and shape cues.

**Example:** Amazon product pages cluster title, price, ratings, and "Add to Cart" closely together.

---

### 2. Similarity

**Similar elements are perceived as related.**

Similarity can be achieved through:
- Shape
- Color
- Size
- Texture
- Orientation

```
Same Color = Related

●●●  ○○○  ●●●
(black and white groups)
```

**Application:**
- Use consistent styling for related elements
- Make CTAs a different color to stand out
- Icons in same style = same category

**Example:** All navigation links same color; CTA button different color.

---

### 3. Closure

**The brain completes incomplete shapes.**

```
     ●●●●
   ●      ●
  ●        ●
  ●        ●
   ●      ●
     ●●●●

(We see a circle, not dots)
```

**Application:**
- Logo design (WWF panda, NBC peacock, FedEx arrow)
- Minimalist icons
- Interactive elements that hint at function

**Key:** Provide enough information for brain to complete — too little = confusion.

---

### 4. Figure-Ground

**We distinguish foreground (figure) from background (ground).**

```
┌─────────────────┐
│  ████████       │  Figure = dark rectangle
│  ████████       │  Ground = light background
│                 │
└─────────────────┘
```

**Application:**
- Clear focal points
- Contrast between content and background
- Modal dialogs (darken background)
- Cards on page

**Danger:** Ambiguous figure-ground causes confusion (famous vase/faces illusion).

---

### 5. Continuity

**The eye follows smooth lines and curves.**

```
    ────────────
         \
          \
           ──────────

(Eye follows the smooth path)
```

**Application:**
- Visual flow in layouts
- Leading lines in photography
- Navigation paths
- Process diagrams

**Example:** Carousel arrows suggest horizontal flow.

---

### 6. Common Fate

**Elements moving in the same direction are perceived as related.**

```
→ → →    ← ← ←
(Two groups based on direction)
```

**Application:**
- Animations that group elements
- Hover effects on related items
- Loading indicators
- Menu flyouts

---

## Additional Principles

### Symmetry & Order

Symmetrical elements perceived as unified.

```
◀ ▶    ◀───────▶
(Balanced, unified)
```

### Common Region

Elements within same boundary perceived as group.

```
┌─────────────┐
│  ● ● ●      │  ← All three dots = one group
└─────────────┘
```

---

## Application in Design

### UI/UX Design

| Element | Gestalt Principle |
|---------|------------------|
| Card layouts | Common region, proximity |
| Navigation menus | Proximity, similarity |
| Modal dialogs | Figure-ground |
| Form grouping | Proximity, common region |
| Icon sets | Similarity |
| Loading animations | Common fate |

### Logo Design

| Brand | Principle Used |
|-------|---------------|
| WWF Panda | Closure |
| FedEx Arrow | Closure, figure-ground |
| NBC Peacock | Closure |
| Olympics Rings | Proximity, continuity |
| Unilever | Closure |

### Web Design

| Pattern | Principle |
|---------|-----------|
| Spacing between sections | Proximity |
| Button styling | Similarity |
| Modal overlays | Figure-ground |
| Scroll indicators | Continuity |
| Grouped form fields | Common region |

---

## Hierarchy of Gestalt Principles

When principles conflict, this is the typical priority:

1. **Proximity** — Strongest grouping cue
2. **Common region** — Boundaries are powerful
3. **Similarity** — Color/shape second to spacing
4. **Continuity** — Eye movement
5. **Closure** — Requires cognitive effort

**Practical rule:** If you want to group elements, put them close together. If you want to separate, add space — don't rely on color alone.

---

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| Relying only on color to group | Add proximity |
| Equal spacing everywhere | Vary spacing for hierarchy |
| Ambiguous figure-ground | Increase contrast |
| Incomplete closure | Add more visual hints |
| Breaking continuity | Align elements on lines/grids |

---

## Quick Reference

| Principle | One-Line Summary | Key Application |
|-----------|------------------|-----------------|
| **Proximity** | Close = related | Spacing |
| **Similarity** | Same = related | Consistent styling |
| **Closure** | Brain completes gaps | Logo design |
| **Figure-Ground** | Foreground vs background | Focal points |
| **Continuity** | Eye follows lines | Visual flow |
| **Common Fate** | Same motion = related | Animations |

---

## Resources

- [Interaction Design Foundation - Gestalt Principles](https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/gestalt-principles)
- [Figma - What Are Gestalt Principles?](https://www.figma.com/resource-library/gestalt-principles/)
- [Smashing Magazine - Visual Perception and Gestalt](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2014/03/design-principles-visual-perception-and-the-principles-of-gestalt/)

```

### references/color-theory.md

```markdown
# Color Theory for Graphic Design

## Color Wheel Relationships

### Primary Schemes

| Scheme | Description | Use Case |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| **Monochromatic** | One hue, vary saturation/lightness | Elegant, cohesive |
| **Analogous** | Adjacent colors (3) | Harmonious, natural |
| **Complementary** | Opposite colors | High contrast, vibrant |
| **Split-Complementary** | Base + 2 adjacent to complement | Balanced contrast |
| **Triadic** | 3 evenly spaced | Dynamic, balanced |

### Quick Palettes

```
Professional: #1E3A5F (navy) + #FFFFFF + #D4A84B (gold)
Energetic:    #FF6B35 (orange) + #1A1A1A + #FFFFFF
Calm:         #4A90D9 (blue) + #F5F5F5 + #FFFFFF
Premium:      #0A0A0A (black) + #D4A84B (gold) + #FFFFFF
Fresh:        #2ECC71 (green) + #FFFFFF + #F5F5F5
2025 Trend:   #0A0A0A (dark) + #00FF88 (neon) + #FFFFFF
```

---

## 60-30-10 Rule

| Percentage | Role | Example |
|------------|------|---------|
| **60%** | Dominant | Background, large areas |
| **30%** | Secondary | Containers, cards, accents |
| **10%** | Accent | CTAs, highlights, emphasis |

This creates visual balance and prevents chaos.

---

## Color Psychology

### Western Meanings

| Color | Emotions | Use For |
|-------|----------|---------|
| **Red** | Urgency, passion, energy, danger | Sales, warnings, CTAs |
| **Blue** | Trust, calm, professional, reliable | Corporate, tech, healthcare |
| **Green** | Growth, nature, health, money | Eco, health, finance |
| **Yellow** | Optimism, attention, warmth | Highlights, warnings |
| **Orange** | Friendly, energetic, affordable | E-commerce, food |
| **Purple** | Luxury, creativity, wisdom | Premium brands, beauty |
| **Black** | Power, elegance, sophistication | Luxury, fashion |
| **White** | Clean, pure, minimal, space | Backgrounds, tech |
| **Gold** | Premium, success, wealth | Luxury brands |

### Cultural Differences (IMPORTANT!)

| Color | Western | China/East Asia | Middle East | India |
|-------|---------|-----------------|-------------|-------|
| **Red** | Danger, passion | Luck, prosperity, joy | Danger, caution | Purity, fertility |
| **White** | Purity, weddings | Mourning, death | Purity, peace | Mourning (some regions) |
| **Yellow** | Happy, caution | Royal, sacred | Happiness | Sacred, auspicious |
| **Green** | Nature, money | Health, prosperity | Islam, paradise | Fertility, life |
| **Blue** | Trust, masculine | Immortality | Protection | Divine, Krishna |
| **Black** | Elegant, death | Water element, formal | Mystery, rebirth | Evil, negativity |
| **Gold** | Wealth, premium | Prosperity, imperial | Wealth | Divine, Lakshmi |

**Rule:** Research your target audience's cultural context before choosing colors!

---

## Contrast & Accessibility (WCAG)

### Required Ratios

| Standard | Normal Text (<18pt) | Large Text (18pt+) |
|----------|---------------------|-------------------|
| **AA (Minimum)** | 4.5:1 | 3:1 |
| **AAA (Enhanced)** | 7:1 | 4.5:1 |

### Contrast Examples

| Combo | Ratio | WCAG |
|-------|-------|------|
| Black on White | 21:1 | AAA |
| Navy on White | 16:1 | AAA |
| Gray #767676 on White | 4.5:1 | AA |
| Gray #959595 on White | 3:1 | Fail (normal text) |

### Tools

- [WebAIM Contrast Checker](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/)
- [Coolors Contrast Checker](https://coolors.co/contrast-checker)
- Browser DevTools → Accessibility tab

---

## Color in Design Hierarchy

1. **Background (60%)** — Neutral, doesn't compete
2. **Content areas (30%)** — Slightly different from bg
3. **Accent (10%)** — CTAs, highlights only

**Rule:** More saturated colors = more attention. Use sparingly for emphasis.

---

## Brand Color Application

### ThepExcel Example

```
Primary:   #D4A84B (Gold) — Accent, highlights
Secondary: #0A0A0A (Black) — Text, contrast
Tertiary:  #FFFFFF (White) — Background
Support:   #F5F5F5 (Light Gray) — Containers
```

### Usage Rules

| Color | Use For | Never Use For |
|-------|---------|---------------|
| Gold | Underlines, bullets, CTAs, icons | Large text, full backgrounds |
| Black | Headlines, body text | — |
| White | Background (90%+) | — |
| Light Gray | Cards, sections | Body text |

---

## Color Temperature

| Temperature | Colors | Feeling | Use For |
|-------------|--------|---------|---------|
| **Warm** | Red, Orange, Yellow | Energy, urgency, passion | Action, sales |
| **Cool** | Blue, Green, Purple | Calm, trust, professional | Corporate, health |
| **Neutral** | Gray, Black, White, Beige | Professional, balanced | Backgrounds, text |

---

## 2025 Color Trends

| Trend | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| **Dark mode + neon** | Black/navy bg with bright accent (cyan, lime, magenta) |
| **Earthy naturalism** | Terracotta, sage, moss, ochre |
| **Dopamine colors** | Bold, vibrant, saturated palettes |
| **Soft gradients** | Subtle color transitions |
| **Moody neutrals** | Warm grays, mushroom tones |

---

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| Too many colors | Max 3-4 per design |
| Low contrast text | Check ratio (4.5:1+) |
| Vibrant background | Use for accent only |
| Ignoring culture | Research target audience |
| Inconsistent palette | Define and stick to it |
| Relying on color alone | Add shape/position cues for accessibility |

---

## Quick Checklist

- [ ] Max 3-4 colors in palette?
- [ ] Following 60-30-10 rule?
- [ ] Contrast ratio 4.5:1+ for text?
- [ ] Considered cultural meanings?
- [ ] Accent color used sparingly?
- [ ] Colors consistent across design?
- [ ] Tested for color blindness?

---

## Resources

- [Adobe Color Wheel](https://color.adobe.com/)
- [Coolors Palette Generator](https://coolors.co/)
- [WebAIM Contrast Checker](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/)
- [Color Oracle (Color Blindness Simulator)](https://colororacle.org/)

```

### references/typography.md

```markdown
# Typography Guide

## Font Categories

| Category | Characteristics | Use For |
|----------|-----------------|---------|
| **Serif** | Traditional, trustworthy | Body text, print |
| **Sans-serif** | Modern, clean | Headlines, screens |
| **Display** | Decorative, impactful | Headlines only |
| **Monospace** | Code, technical | Code snippets |
| **Script** | Elegant, personal | Accents, signatures |

## Font Pairing Matrix

### Safe Combinations
| Display (Headlines) | Body (Text) | Mood |
|---------------------|-------------|------|
| Montserrat Bold | Open Sans | Modern Professional |
| Playfair Display | Lato | Elegant Editorial |
| Bebas Neue | Roboto | Bold Impact |
| Oswald | Source Sans Pro | Strong & Readable |
| Poppins Bold | Inter | Friendly Tech |

### Thai-Friendly Pairs
| Display | Body | Notes |
|---------|------|-------|
| Kanit Bold | Sarabun | ThepExcel standard |
| Prompt Bold | Pridi | Modern Thai |
| IBM Plex Sans Thai Bold | IBM Plex Sans Thai | Corporate |

## Size Scale (Modular)

### Ratio: 1.25 (Minor Third)
```
Caption:    12px / 0.75rem
Body:       16px / 1rem      ← Base
Large:      20px / 1.25rem
H4:         25px / 1.563rem
H3:         31px / 1.953rem
H2:         39px / 2.441rem
H1:         49px / 3.052rem
Display:    61px / 3.815rem
```

### Quick Reference (Presentation)
| Element | Size | Weight |
|---------|------|--------|
| Slide Title | 36-44pt | Bold |
| Section Header | 24-28pt | SemiBold |
| Body Text | 18-20pt | Regular |
| Caption | 14-16pt | Regular |

## Line Height (Leading)

| Text Type | Line Height |
|-----------|-------------|
| Headlines | 1.1-1.2 |
| Body text | 1.4-1.6 |
| UI text | 1.3-1.4 |

## Letter Spacing (Tracking)

| Use Case | Tracking |
|----------|----------|
| ALL CAPS headlines | +2% to +5% |
| Large display | -1% to -2% |
| Body text | 0 (default) |
| Small text | +1% |

## Line Length

| Context | Characters |
|---------|------------|
| Optimal reading | 50-75 |
| Headlines | 20-40 |
| Mobile | 35-50 |

## Hierarchy Techniques

### Size Only (Preferred)
```
HEADLINE (2-3x body)
Subhead (1.5x body)
Body text at base size
Caption smaller
```

### Weight Variation
```
Bold for headlines
Regular for body
Light for supporting (use sparingly)
```

### Color Variation
```
Black (#0A0A0A) — Primary text
Dark Gray (#4A4A4A) — Secondary
Light Gray (#9A9A9A) — Tertiary/disabled
```

## Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| Too many fonts | Max 2 (1 display + 1 body) |
| All same size | Create clear hierarchy |
| Centered long text | Left-align paragraphs |
| Too tight line height | 1.4-1.6 for body |
| Fancy fonts for body | Use simple sans-serif |
| ALL CAPS body text | Reserve for short headlines |

```

### references/layouts.md

```markdown
# Layout Patterns

## Grid Systems

### 12-Column Grid
Most flexible, divisible by 2, 3, 4, 6.

```
|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|
├─────────┼─────────────────┤  8+4 (sidebar layout)
├─────┼─────┼─────┼─────────┤  3+3+3+3 (cards)
├───────────┼───────────────┤  5+7 (asymmetric)
├───────────────────────────┤  12 (full width)
```

### Common Divisions
| Columns | Use |
|---------|-----|
| 12 | Full-width hero |
| 8+4 | Content + sidebar |
| 6+6 | Two equal columns |
| 4+4+4 | Three cards |
| 3+3+3+3 | Four items grid |

## Layout Templates

### Z-Pattern (Scanning)
```
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ LOGO          [NAV NAV] │  ← Eye starts here
│                         │
│ HEADLINE                │
│        ───────────      │  ← Diagonal scan
│                         │
│ Supporting text    [CTA]│  ← Ends at CTA
└─────────────────────────┘
```
Best for: Landing pages, simple content

### F-Pattern (Reading)
```
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ HEADLINE HEADLINE HEAD  │  ← First scan
│ ────────────────────    │
│ Subhead text text text  │  ← Second scan
│ ────────────────        │
│ Body text text text     │  ← Vertical scan down
│ Body text text          │
│ Body text               │
└─────────────────────────┘
```
Best for: Text-heavy content, blogs

### Rule of Thirds
```
┌─────────┬─────────┬─────────┐
│         │         │         │
│    ●────┼────●    │         │
│         │         │         │
├─────────┼─────────┼─────────┤
│         │         │         │
│    ●────┼────●    │         │
│         │         │         │
└─────────┴─────────┴─────────┘
```
Place key elements at intersections (●)

## Thumbnail Layouts

### Face + Text (YouTube)
```
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│                             │
│ [FACE]     BIG HEADLINE     │
│            ─────────────    │
│            smaller text     │
│                             │
└─────────────────────────────┘
```
- Face fills 40% height minimum
- Eye contact if possible
- Text on contrasting area

### Before/After
```
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│  BEFORE   │    AFTER        │
│           │                 │
│  [old]    │    [new]        │
│           │                 │
└─────────────────────────────┘
```
- Clear visual difference
- Arrow or divider line

### Listicle
```
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│    7 WAYS TO...             │
│    ────────────             │
│                             │
│    [Icons/Preview]          │
│                             │
└─────────────────────────────┘
```
- Number prominent
- Curiosity gap

## Social Media Dimensions

| Platform | Format | Size |
|----------|--------|------|
| YouTube Thumbnail | 16:9 | 1280×720 |
| Instagram Post | 1:1 | 1080×1080 |
| Instagram Story | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| Facebook Post | 1.91:1 | 1200×630 |
| Twitter Post | 16:9 | 1200×675 |
| LinkedIn Post | 1.91:1 | 1200×627 |

## Spacing System

### 8px Base Grid
```
4px   — Tight (icons, inline)
8px   — Small (within groups)
16px  — Medium (between elements)
24px  — Large (sections)
32px  — XL (major sections)
48px  — XXL (page margins)
```

### Margin Rules
- Consistent on all sides
- More space = more importance
- White space is not "empty"

## Visual Hierarchy Checklist

1. [ ] Can you identify #1 in 1 second?
2. [ ] Clear path from #1 → #2 → #3?
3. [ ] Eye flows naturally to CTA?
4. [ ] No competing elements same size?
5. [ ] Grouped items use proximity?

```

### references/presentation-design.md

```markdown
# Presentation & Slide Design Guide

## Core Philosophy

**Slides support the speaker — they don't replace the speaker.**

Audience cannot read AND listen simultaneously. Choose one.

---

## Fundamental Rules

### One Idea Per Slide

Each slide = single focused message. Benefits:
- **Focus** — Easier for audience to concentrate
- **Memory** — Key messages retained longer
- **Learning** — Avoids cognitive overload

### Text Amount Rules

| Rule | Guideline |
|------|-----------|
| **Rule of 4** | Max 4 bullets, 4 words each |
| **6×6 Rule** | Max 6 lines, 6 words per line |
| **7×7 Rule** | Max 7 lines, 7 words per line |

**Best practice:** Use visuals, not text walls.

---

## Font Size Guidelines

### By Presentation Context

| Context | Titles | Body Text | Captions |
|---------|--------|-----------|----------|
| **Large room (100+ people)** | 60pt+ | 40pt+ | 24pt+ |
| **Medium room (20-50 people)** | 48pt+ | 36pt+ | 20pt+ |
| **Small room/Virtual** | 44pt+ | 32pt+ | 18pt+ |
| **Leave-behind document** | 36pt+ | 20pt+ | 12pt+ |

### Distance Rule

No universal answer — depends on:
- Room size
- Screen size
- Distance to furthest viewer

**Test:** Can the back row read it?

---

## Visual Hierarchy in Slides

### Techniques

1. **Size** — Headlines larger than body
2. **Color** — Accent color for emphasis
3. **Position** — Top-left gets attention first (Z-pattern)
4. **White space** — Isolation = importance
5. **Contrast** — Stand out from background

### Reading Patterns

**Z-Pattern** (most slides):
```
1 ─────────────→ 2
        ↘
3 ─────────────→ 4
```

Place key message at position 1 or 4 (start/end points).

---

## Slide Types & Templates

### Title Slide

```
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│                                   │
│        PRESENTATION TITLE         │
│        ═══════════════════        │
│        Subtitle / Date            │
│                                   │
│                    Logo           │
└───────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Content Slide

```
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ Slide Title                       │
│ ════════════                      │
│                                   │
│  • Point one                      │
│  • Point two                      │
│  • Point three                    │
│                                   │
└───────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Two-Column

```
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ Slide Title                       │
│                                   │
│  Left Column    │  Right Column   │
│  • Item 1       │  [Image/Chart]  │
│  • Item 2       │                 │
│  • Item 3       │                 │
└───────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Data/Chart Slide

```
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ Key Finding (One Sentence)        │
│                                   │
│      ┌────────────────────┐       │
│      │                    │       │
│      │   [CHART/GRAPH]    │       │
│      │                    │       │
│      └────────────────────┘       │
│                                   │
│ Source: Citation                  │
└───────────────────────────────────┘
```

---

## Design Best Practices

### Do's

- [ ] One message per slide
- [ ] High contrast (4.5:1 minimum)
- [ ] Consistent fonts/colors throughout
- [ ] Use visuals > text for data
- [ ] Leave breathing room (white space)
- [ ] Test on target screen/projector

### Don'ts

- [ ] Text walls
- [ ] Reading slides aloud
- [ ] Too many animations
- [ ] Inconsistent styling
- [ ] Low contrast text
- [ ] Tiny fonts

---

## 2025 Trends

| Trend | Description | When to Use |
|-------|-------------|-------------|
| **Dark mode** | Dark bg + neon/bright text | Modern, tech, creative |
| **Minimalism** | One accent color, lots of space | Corporate, clean |
| **Gradients** | Subtle color transitions | Creative, dynamic |
| **Motion** | Micro-animations | Virtual presentations |
| **Magazine layouts** | Asymmetric, editorial | Creative agencies |
| **Mobile-first** | Vertical, large text | Hybrid meetings |

---

## Color for Slides

### Background Options

| Type | Use Case |
|------|----------|
| **White/Light** | Classic, readable, print-friendly |
| **Dark/Black** | Modern, reduces eye strain, virtual |
| **Brand color** | Consistency, recognition |

### Text on Background

| Background | Text Color |
|------------|------------|
| White | Black/Dark gray |
| Black | White/Light colors |
| Dark blue | White/Yellow |
| Light gray | Black/Navy |

**Rule:** Always check contrast ratio (4.5:1+)

---

## Data Visualization

### Chart Selection

| Data Type | Best Chart |
|-----------|------------|
| Comparison | Bar chart |
| Trend over time | Line chart |
| Part of whole | Pie chart (max 5 segments) |
| Relationship | Scatter plot |
| Process | Flowchart |

### Data Presentation Tips

1. **Simplify** — Remove unnecessary gridlines, labels
2. **Highlight** — Use color to emphasize key data point
3. **Title = Insight** — "Sales grew 40%" not "Sales chart"
4. **Source** — Always cite data source

---

## Animation Guidelines

### Use Sparingly

- Reveal content progressively (builds)
- Guide attention
- Show process/sequence

### Avoid

- Flashy transitions between slides
- Multiple animations per slide
- Animations that distract from message

### Safe Animations

- Fade in
- Appear
- Fly in (one direction)
- Simple morph (PowerPoint)

---

## Cognitive Load Considerations

### Dual-Channel Theory

Humans process visual and auditory separately. Don't:
- Show text AND speak the same words
- Require reading while listening

### Do Instead

- Show image/chart → explain verbally
- Show key word → elaborate verbally
- Use progressive reveal

### Working Memory Limits

- 4±1 items can be held at once
- Chunk information
- Use hierarchy to prioritize

---

## Presentation Checklist

### Before Presenting

- [ ] All text readable from back of room?
- [ ] Consistent styling throughout?
- [ ] One idea per slide?
- [ ] Data visualized, not tabled?
- [ ] Animations purposeful and minimal?
- [ ] Tested on actual screen/projector?
- [ ] Backup copy available?

### Design Quality

- [ ] High contrast (WCAG AA)?
- [ ] Max 2-3 fonts?
- [ ] Max 3-4 colors?
- [ ] Aligned to grid?
- [ ] White space adequate?
- [ ] Key message obvious?

---

## Resources

- **Research:** [Ten Simple Rules for Effective Slides](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8638955/)
- **Contrast Checker:** [WebAIM](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/)
- **Design Trends:** [24slides](https://24slides.com/presentbetter/best-presentation-design-trends)

```